Reinforced feeder for livestock

ABSTRACT

A livestock feeder with improved corrosion resistance and collapse resistance is described. The feeder comprises a polymeric cylinder with an open top and an interior surface. The interior surface defines a hollow interior where feedstuffs can be placed. One or more feeding portals extend through the cylinder to provide livestock access to feedstuffs. The feeding portals include a lower ledge against which livestock exerts a force while accessing feedstuffs in the feeder interior. A reinforcing annulus extends around the interior surface of the feeder proximate to and below the lower feeding portal ledge. The reinforcing annulus may be integrally formed with the polymeric cylinder or separately formed and attached to the polymeric cylinder. The feeder can withstand repeated feedings without collapse.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/064,957, filed Oct. 28, 2013, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to an extended use feeder for livestock, such ascattle, and more specifically to an extended use feeder that withreduced susceptibility or no susceptibility to corrosion or collapseunder normal use.

BACKGROUND

Hay and other feedstuffs are often accumulated in large (500-1500 lb)round rolls (bales) and/or square bales and stored for feeding cattle orother livestock when natural forage is unavailable. Feeders are used toallow the livestock to retrieve feedstuff while preventing them fromfull access which could cause unnecessary waste of feedstuff viatrampling. Livestock, particularly cattle, stick their heads through aportal in the device to retrieve the feedstuff and a “skirt” is placedaround the outside of the feeder which keeps hay from falling outsidethe feeder and being trampled.

In the recent past, feeders have been produced entirely out of metalwhich have excellent mechanical integrity, but will eventually corrodein the wet, manure rich environment they find themselves. Due to thiscorrosion, the life span of a typical hay feeder is likely less than 10years.

Recently, attempts have been made to manufacture cattle feeders entirelyout of plastic relying on the resiliency of the plastic to bounce backas the cattle push in toward the feedstuff. These feeders have beenmarketed as having a lifetime warranty.

However, unfortunately, it has been found that the commercial plasticfeeders mentioned above would eventually collapse at the lower ledge ofthe portal under the pressure of the cattle at the point where thebreastbone of the bovine pressed in past the lower ledge of the portaltoward the feedstuff. The resiliency of the plastic, promoted as afeature of the product, has not been sufficient to sustain thestructural integrity of the feeder .

Thus, a need has arisen for a feeder that is rust resistant andsufficiently rigid to sustain compression at the point of pressure asthe livestock reach in through a portal toward the feedstuff.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, a livestock feeder is provided which comprises apolymeric cylinder with an open top, an exterior surface, an interiorsurface, and at least one feeding portal extending through the polymericcylinder from the exterior surface to the interior surface. The at leastone feeding portal includes a lower ledge spaced apart from the opentop. During feeding, livestock exert a force against the lower ledgewhile standing outside of the feeder and accessing feed inside thefeeder. A reinforcing annulus is provided along the interior surfaceproximate the lower ledge. In one example, the polymeric cylinder isformed from a high density polyethylene. In another example, the highdensity polyethylene is a high molecular weight polyethylene. In afurther example, the high density polyethylene is a high molecularweight copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin, preferably, 1-hexene.In certain examples, the live stock feeder is capable of withstandingrepeated hoop stresses at the lower ledge of the at least one feedingportal which are exerted by the breastbone of cattle weighing 800 poundsor more.

In certain implementations, the reinforcing annulus is formed frompolymeric, synthetic, composite, or metallic materials. In otherimplementations, the reinforcing annulus is integrally formed with thepolymeric cylinder. In additional implementations, the reinforcingannulus is a unitary structure that is formed separately from andsubsequently attached to the polymeric cylinder. In yet otherimplementations, the reinforcing annulus comprises multiple arcuatesegments.

The present disclosure describes the use of an annulus at one or morecircumferential locations about the circumference of the non-corrodingpolymer feeder. The annulus can be a single piece of material toreinforce the interior curved surface of the feeder or can beconstructed from more than one arcuate segments to be fastened together.Either way, the completed annulus is secured to the interior curvedsurfaces, particularly just beneath the feeding portals, by anyconventional type of fastener which secures into polymeric material. Themanner of annular reinforcement of the feeders just below the feedingportals assures that the feedstuff can be loaded into the feeder fromits open top without disruption or interference from the annularreinforcement and also without disruption or interference for thelivestock feeding through the feeding portals.

The number of locations of annular reinforcement of the polymeric feederis at least one, beneath the feeding portals, but can be at least two orthree depending on the annular reinforcement needed to the polymericstructure of the feeder, based on the design, configuration, andmaterial of construction of the feeder itself.

In another aspect, a livestock feeder is provided which comprises (a) apolymeric cylinder with an open top, an interior surface, and at leastone feeding portal with a lower ledge in a vertical arcuate sidewallsection; and (b) a reinforcing annulus attached to the interior surfaceat the lower ledge and having a radius of curvature substantially thesame as a radius of curvature of the polymer cylinder at the interiorsurface.

In a further aspect, a method of using a reinforcing annulus is providedwhich comprises the steps of: (a) placing the reinforcing annulusproximate a lower ledge of at least one feeding portal on an interiorsurface of a polymeric cylinder with an open top configured as alivestock feeder; and (b) attaching the reinforcing annulus to the lowerledge to withstand force of livestock seeking food through the feedingportal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a conventional non-corroding, polymeric livestock feeder ofthe prior art, having exterior curving surfaces in which a number offeeding portals reside.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an arcuate portion of the interior surfacesof the livestock feeder with at least two reinforcing annuli securedabove and below the feeding portals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Livestock Feeder

FIG. 1 shows a conventional cylindrical polymeric livestock feeder 100with an open top 110 into which feedstuff, such as hay bales, can beplaced. The open top 110 is defined by a circular upper polymeric rim120 at the top of a series of vertical arcuate sidewall sections 130separated from one another by vertical polymer reinforcing posts 140.These posts 140 are formed as part of the molded polymeric structure ofthe feeder 100 and designed to provide vertical strength to the feeder100 when placed in the fields or pens where livestock are located. Thefeeder 100 includes a hollow interior for holding feedstuff.

Each vertical sidewall section 130 has an upper segment 150 in which afeeding portal 160 is located. The portals 160 extend from an outersurface of the feeder to the interior surface so that the interior ofthe feeder (in which foodstuff is stored) is accessible from theexterior of the feeder through the portals 160. The lower edge of eachportal 160 has a ledge 165 against which livestock press or lean whenattempting to reach hay or other feedstuffs within the feeder 100. Incertain applications involving cattle feeding, the cattle will typicallyexert a force at a downward angle against the lower ledge 165. The forcewill include a radially inward component that creates a hoop stress atthe lower ledge 165. Preferred examples of the feeders described hereincan withstand repeated hoop stresses caused by feeding livestock,including cattle weighing 800 pounds or more.

The upper segment 150 ends at a horizontal polymeric reinforcing rim 170also formed as part of the molded polymeric structure of the feeder 100,at which circumference, each vertical sidewall section 130 has a closedpolymeric skirt segment 180 which blocks feeding by the livestock offeedstuff within the feeder 100, except as through feeding portals 160.

As with the rim 120, the feeder 100 has a circular bottom polymeric rim190 which contacts the ground. Thus, in typical applications, thepolymeric rim 190 contacts the ground, and the skirt segment 180 islocated between the polymeric rim 190 and the portals 160 in avertically upward direction that is perpendicular to a radial directionof the feeder.

It should be noted that designers of the all-polymeric feeder 100 haveattempted to provide adequate reinforcement structures at rims 120 and190 and at posts 140 and reinforcing rim 170. Unfortunately, use ofknown polymeric feeders in the fields and pens where livestock are fedhas revealed that known polymer molded-in structures are not adequate towithstand the pressure of hungry livestock seeking food within thefeeder 100.

As seen in FIG. 2, the present disclosure modifies the knownall-polymeric feeder 100 by providing at least one reinforcing annulus200 at a horizontal location beneath ledge 165 of feeding portals 160,the location where livestock place the greatest stress upon the feeder100 when reaching for hay or other feedstuff within the feeder 100. Thereinforcing annulus 200 extends around the circumference of the interiorwall surface 230 of the feeder and projects radially inward from theinterior wall surface 230.

The reinforcing annulus 200 can be a single polymeric, synthetic,composite, or metallic construction of arcuate segments, wherein eachsegment would be rigid enough to reduce or even minimize collapse of apolymeric livestock feeder 100 at the feeding portals 160. In thisembodiment, multiple arcuate segments 210 are designed to fit togetherand secured by fasteners 220 to form a single annulus about the lowerledge 165 of each feeding portal 160 on the interior wall surface 230 ofthe feeder 100. The radius of curvature of the assembled annulus 200would be substantially the same as the radius of curvature of thelivestock feeder 100 at the elevation of the lower ledge 165 of thefeeding portal 160. Each segment 210 itself could be produced in onepiece or multiple pieces to be later connected at the point ofapplication by fasteners 220.

It is also possible that a single annulus 200 could be formed forunitary assembly into the livestock feeder 100. In the specific exampleof FIG. 2, the annulus 200 (integral or segmented) is secured to theinside lower ledge 165 of each feeding portal 160 by fasteners 220selected from the group consisting of nuts and bolts, screws, straps,and otherwise attached or embedded into the feeder itself. However, itis further possible that a reinforcing annulus 200 can be formed fromthe same polymeric material as the remainder of the livestock feeder 100and integrally formed (e.g., integrally molded) with the verticalarcuate sidewall sections 130 and the closed skirt segment 180. Inpreferred examples, at least one reinforcing annulus 200 is providedaround the circumference of the interior wall surface 230 and positionedbetween the ground-contacting polymeric rim 190 and the lower ledge 165along the height direction of the feeder (i.e., the directionperpendicular to the radial direction). In certain preferred examples,the at least one reinforcing annulus is no more than 10 inches, morepreferably nor more than 5 inches, and still preferably no more than 2inches away from the lower ledge 165 along the feeder's height direction(i.e., the direction along which the upper polymeric rim 120 and thebottom polymeric rim 190 are spaced apart).

In another embodiment, multiple annuli 200 can be used at variouselevations within the livestock feeder, to provide more resistance tothe force of hungry livestock seeking food. For example, a secondreinforcing annulus 240 of the same or similar construction could besecured near the upper edge of the feeding portals 160 on the interiorsurface 230 at rim 120. As above, the radius of curvature of the annulus240 would be substantially the same as the radius of curvature of thelivestock feeder 100 at the elevation of the upper rim 120 near theupper edge of the feeding portal 160.

Another location for a second or third annulus 200 (not shown) can be atthe base rim 190 of the feeder 100 on the interior surface 230 justabove where the feeder 100 contacts the earth.

The result of at least the lower ledge annulus 200 and optionally theother annulus 240 or annuli is to establish a hoop strength at theinside surface 230 of the livestock feeder 100 to withstand the force oflivestock seeking food, particularly at the elevation of the lower ledge165 of each feeding portal 160. This hoop strength provides a horizontalreinforcement, preferably in complement to the vertical reinforcement ofposts 140. The use of the reinforcing annulus 240 provides localizedreinforcement at the feeder location that is most susceptible tocollapse during feedings (or due to repeated feedings).

Feeders of the type described herein produce the unexpected benefit ofreducing the feeder's susceptibility to collapse while avoidingincreases in feeder weight that would accompany other reinforcementtechniques. The feeders described herein reflect the discovery thatfeeder collapse is often caused by hoop stresses generated proximate thelower ledge 165 of the feeding portals 160. By localizing thereinforcement to the specific location of increased collapsevulnerability, the feeder can withstand repeated feedings (which mayinvolve several animals simultaneously feeding at several portals 160around the feeder circumference) without increasing the overallthickness of the arcuate wall sections 130 or other portions of thefeeder in a manner that would undesirably increase the feeder weightwithout providing significant additional reinforcement.

The cylindrical structure defined by the vertical arcuate segments 130and closed skirt segment 180 is preferably formed from a high densitypolyethylene (HDPE). As used herein, the term “high densitypolyethylene” includes polyethylenes or copolymers of ethylene and othermonomers with a density of at least 0.941 g/cm³ based on ASTM D1505. Incertain examples, preferred HDPE materials have a density that is nogreater than about 0.965 g/cm3, more preferably no greater than about0.955 g/cm³, and still more preferably no greater than about 0.950g/cm³.

In one example, the high density polyethylene is a high molecularweight, high density polyethylene. As used herein, the term “highmolecular weight” refers to a molecular weight of from about 200,000g/mol to about 500,000 g/mol. In the same or other examples, the highdensity polyethylene is a high molecular weight, high density copolymerof ethylene and an alpha-olefin. A preferred alpha-olefin is 1-hexene.

In certain examples, the high density polyethylene has a tensilestrength based on ASTM D638 (Type IV, 51 mm/min) which ranges from about20 MPa to about 38 MPa, preferably from about 22 MPa to about 30 MPa,and more preferably from about 22 MPa to about 28 MPa. In the same orother examples, the high density polyethylene has a flexuralmodulus-tangent (ASTM D790 at 13 mm/min) that ranges from about 1100 MPato about 1300 MPa, preferably from about 1150 MPa to about 1250 MPA, andmore preferably from about 1175 MPa to about 1225 MPa.

One suitable example of a high molecular weight, high densitypolyethylene that can be used to form the cylindrical structure definedby the vertical arcuate segments 130 and closed skirt segment 180 isMarlex® HXM 50100, which is supplied by Chevron Phillips ChemicalCompany LLC. Marlex® HXM 50100 has typical density values (ASTM D1505)of about 0.948 g/cm³, a typical tensile strength (ASTM D638, Type IV at51 mm/min) of 25.0 MPa, and a typical flexural modulus-tangent (ASTMD790 at 13 mm/min) of 1200 MPa.

Any material formable into arcuate segments or annuli is a candidate foruse for annulus 200 or annulus 240. The material for annulus 200 may bethe same or different from the material for annulus 240. The materialfor annulus 200 may also be the same or different as the material forthe polymeric cylindrical section defined by the vertical arcuatesegments 130 and closed skirt segment 180. Non-limiting examples includethermoplastic polymers, metals, and composites of multiple materials,such as a thermoset fiberglass composite. A person having ordinary skillin the art of agriculture equipment could select from the conventionalapparatus building materials to choose a material of sufficient arcuatestrength, such that when the arcuate segments 210 are installed or thesingle annulus 200 is installed, that the hoop strength is sufficient towithstand the force of hungry livestock pushing on the lower ledge 165of a feeding portal 160.

Of the various materials possible, use of polymers is preferred because,like the feeders themselves, polymeric annuli 200 and 240 would notcorrode. Of polymers, polyolefins, rigid polyvinyl chloride, polyamidesand other commonly used polymers in exterior or exposed environments canbe used.

The dimensions of each annulus 200 or 240 at each location within thefeeder 100 can vary to accommodate a balance between hoop strength andweight. For example, diameters or thicknesses of the arcuate segments210 or an integral annulus 200 can range from about 2.54 cm to about7.62 cm and preferably about 3.81 cm to about 6.35 cm.

Another embodiment of the livestock feeder reinforcement couldoptionally include vertical ribs interconnecting between annuli 200 and240 or between the annulus 200 at the lower ledge of the portal and theearth at the rim 190 between the interior surface 230 of the livestockfeeder and the earth. Any vertical rib employed would add a verticalinterconnecting strength to the hoop strength brought to the soleannulus 200 at the lower ledge 165 of the feeding portal 160 or broughtto the multiple annuli 200 and 240 at key locations within the feeder.The vertical rib reinforcement can be located at or adjoining verticalpolymer reinforcing posts 140 or away from such pre-existing molded-inpolymeric reinforcement.

All of the examples described herein are preferably configured to avoidany reinforcement piece extending radially across the interior oflivestock feeder 100, so that the volume of the hollow interior forholding foodstuff or forage into the feeder 100 is maximized. Inpreferred embodiments, every annulus 200 and 240 and every optional ribis configured to project in an inward radial direction from interiorsurface 230 by an amount that is less than twenty percent, morepreferably less than ten percent, and still more preferably less thanfive percent of the inner diameter defined by interior surface 230. Inaccordance with such preferred embodiments, a minimal amount offoodstuff storage capacity is lost, and there is minimal disruption tothe intended uses of the feeder for deposit of hay bales or otherforage.

Newly constructed feeders 100 can benefit from the annuli 200 andoptionally 240 described herein. Also, existing feeders 100, evenpartially damaged feeders, can be retrofitted with the reinforcementannuli 200 and optionally 240.

Assembly of Reinforcement

Livestock feeder reinforcement construction could be done as onecomplete annulus 200 or come in ready to assemble arcuate segment pieces210. Preferably, two arcuate segments 210 minimize the number ofconnections to create the annulus 200 but also provide for ease oftransport to consumer. Additional reinforcement 240 and appropriateconnecting hardware 220 are optional parts of the kit as sold.

Usefulness of the Reinforced Feeders

One reason for use of polymeric feeders 100 instead of metallic feedersis the polymeric feeders avoid corrosion and, if made from appropriatepolymers metals, or composite, can endure both cold and heat withoutsignificant loss of structural integrity. Polymeric feeders 100 that donot need to be replaced every 10 years have significant economic andenvironmental value to livestock producers. It could also potentiallyexpand the market for feeders 100 to people who do not presently usethose polymeric feeders 100 as a result of their limited life expectancybecause of breakage of portals 160 by livestock seeking food. Finally,it will reduce the strain on recycling and disposal facilitiesattempting to handle products that have failed in the field.

The annulus 200 or annuli 200 and 240 installed on the interior surface230 of the livestock feeder 100 at key location(s) of stress allow forthe use of polymeric livestock feeder despite the stress of livestockseeking food. Thus, the polymeric livestock feeder 100 can have all ofthe advantages which brought such products success in the market butalso continued durability in spite of hungry livestock seeking food.

With certain embodiments of the livestock feeders described herein,particular components may also be available for sale—such asreinforcement rods, skirt panels, etc., so that if one part does getdamaged for some reason, the entire feeder does not need to be disposed.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The claimsfollow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A livestock feeder, comprising: (a) a polymericcylinder defining a radial axis and a height axis and having an opentop, an interior surface, and at least one feeding portal with a lowerledge in a vertical arcuate sidewall section; and (b) a reinforcingannulus located along the interior surface beneath the lower ledge alongthe height axis, wherein the reinforcing annulus projects inwardly fromthe interior surface along the radial axis and has a radius of curvaturesubstantially the same as a radius of curvature of the polymer cylinderat the interior surface.
 2. The feeder of claim 1, wherein thereinforcing annulus is a unitary assembly.
 3. The feeder of claim 1,wherein the reinforcing annulus comprises multiple arcuate segments. 4.The feeder of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing annulus is integrallyformed with the polymeric cylinder.
 5. The feeder of claim 1, whereinthe feeder is capable of withstanding a force on the lower ledge exertedby livestock feeding through the feeding portal.
 6. The feeder of claim1, wherein the reinforcing annulus is secured by fasteners to theinterior surface of the vertical sections at the lower ledge of eachfeeding portal of the polymeric cylinder.
 7. The feeder of claim 1,wherein the polymeric cylinder has an upper rim defining the open top,and wherein feedstuff can be placed within the interior surface withoutdisruption by the presence of the reinforcing annulus attached to theinterior surface at the lower ledge of the feeding portal.
 8. The feederof claim 7, further comprising a second reinforcing annulus attached onthe interior surface of the upper rim.
 9. The feeder of claim 1, whereinthe polymeric cylinder has a molded polymeric structure of verticalpolymer reinforcing posts on the interior surface, and wherein thereinforcing annulus provides horizontal hoop strength at the elevationof the lower ledge on the interior surface.
 10. The feeder of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of vertical reinforcing posts having aheight along the height axis, wherein each of the vertical posts isspaced apart from the at least one feeding portal along the entirety ofthe reinforcing post's height.
 11. The feeder of claim 1, wherein thepolymeric cylinder is formed from high density polyethylene.
 12. Thefeeder of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing annulus is attached to theinterior surface by being embedded into the polymeric cylinder itself.13. The feeder of claim 12, further comprising at least one vertical ribinterconnecting the reinforcing annulus at the lower ledge and thesecond reinforcing annulus at the upper rim.
 14. The feeder of claim 1,wherein the at least one feeding portal has a width that increases whenmoving from the lower ledge of the at least one feeding portal along theheight axis.
 15. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing annulushas a diameter of from about 2.54 cm to about 7.62 cm.
 16. The feeder ofclaim 1, wherein the polymeric cylinder has a circumference, the atleast one feeding portal comprises a plurality of feeding portals spacedapart from one another around the circumference of the polymericcylinder, and the feeder further comprises a plurality of verticalposts, wherein each post is located between and spaced apart fromadjacent feeding portals from the plurality of feeding portals aroundthe circumference of the polymeric cylinder.
 17. The feeder of claim 1,wherein the polymeric cylinder has a circumference and a closed skirtsegment beneath the lower ledge of the at least one feeding portal, andthe closed skirt segment extends around the circumference of thepolymeric cylinder.